How do you decide whats best?

[clandestinidad]

I've been trying to make a decision for a couple of weeks. I've been in nursing school for a year. In the 2nd semester of 5 semesters. Before that I was studying Communications, and have about 10 classes left (give or take a few, I'm not totally sure about).

 

I was sick for clinicals one day, and the instructor didnt like me much, besides the fact that I didnt really like it anyway, so I failed clinicals. I passed the hard class, but if you dont pass the clinical part you cant move onto the next semester.

 

When I found out, I was pi$$ed b/c I had put a lot of effort into the class. So, I quickly applied to another school to leave my options open (to finish my comm. degree just in case I wanted to do that). I actually passed the deadline by 4 days, but they accepted me anyway.

 

So, heres my dilemma...I cant decide which one I want to do. Since I have a daughter and we're basically living off child support and the help of my parents, my major issue is TIME AND MONEY. I need to finish something quickly and get a job. I'm sick of our little situation here, with my mother holding money over my head all the time.

 

Nursing could take another year and a half or more to finish (since who knows what other semesters I might not pass...its really hard), and Comm. could take a year (by next Fall).

 

The things about nursing I was interested in had nothing to do with actually taking care of anyone. They were Legal Nurse Consulting/Expert witness in trials, and Industry nursing (scheduling tests and what-not for employees of companies). Or some sort of administrative role.

 

The things about Comm. I'm interested in are various sections of HR, especially labor relations, dispute resolution, training, recruiting. Or I could be an Arbitrator/Mediator. There are some other things I'm interested in as well.

 

Anyway, my parents really want me to finish nursing b/c they think that it would provide more opportunities for variation and job placement. They keep talking about the shortage or nurses, the pay, the job security, etc. They are making it extremely hard for me to decide for myself by pushing me into what they think I should do. When someone pushes me too much, I become apathetic and turn the other way.

 

They've told me that they will not pay for any other schooling besides nursing. I'm totally fine with that, and actually prefer it b/c it relieves some pressure they've put on me about money. My dad said that they would still pay for my house and bills though. He says that they just want me to finish something (but then they make it obvious which one I 'should' finish)

 

Alright, I think I've explained the situation enough for people to respond with their thoughts/opinions/advice. Please help me with this, b/c I have to decide within the next week. I just need help knowing how to decide something like this, and without caring what anyone else thinks.

[johan]

I have no idea how to advise you on such a personal issue. At this point it isn't clear which you would like more or be better at or make more money doing. If money and getting our on your own is the deal-breaker, then I'd go for the one I could finish most quickly. Sorry.

 

Maybe there's a third option: find a rich guy.

[Outcast]

Anyway, my parents really want me to finish nursing b/c they think that it would provide more opportunities for variation and job placement. They keep talking about the shortage or nurses, the pay, the job security, etc.

 

None of which is relevant since you don't want to be an actual nurse.

 

Job Outlook

Overall employment of human resources, training, and labor relations managers and specialists is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through 2014. In addition to openings due to growth, many job openings will arise from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or leave the labor force.

for more: http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos021.htm#outlook

 

You can also go to the main site and look up the health-related occupations you're interested in but everything I've read touts HR as a big growth field for the next while and this document confirmed it.

[clandestinidad]

Maybe there's a third option: find a rich guy

 

ew...no no! Thats not an option, johan. If I happen to find a guy, great. If he turns out to be wealthy, fine. Whatever happens, I'm going to be fine on my own and wont rely on anyone.

 

Plus, if he's wealthy and theres a little extra spending money that I contribute that could be fun!!

[travellingman]

Kat, I know you think I'm self-righteous, but entry-level nursing pays better, so I understand where your parents are coming from. I work with a lot of PR people, and they all start out making very little. But if it's what you really like, then you can eventually do fairly well with it.

 

Your not-so-secret admirer,

TM

[clandestinidad]

That info was quite helpful, outcast. I'll have to include that in the info for my parents...since they will probably inquire heavily about any decision I make....UGH

 

Also, I made a brief list of some things I want in my career, some things I'm good at and want to put to use. Unfortunately, I think these exist in any number of fields, so I dont know if it helps very much.

 

Leadership

Supervisor

Organization (both in schedule, and work atmosphere)

Social Interaction (more than just socializing in the break room; a major role)

Teaching/Training

Psychology (some element of it)

Planning

Task/Project Completion

Strategizing

Editing/Proofreading

Delegation

 

maybe I'll think of some others later. I know this sounds ridiculous, but I always pictured myself wearing nice suits and in a presentation, project-type situation

[clandestinidad]

haha...I dont think youre self-righteous, TM!! I was just poking fun

[curiousnycgirl]

I am not certain you were looking at nursing for the right reasons, and therefore I don't really think it will work for you.

 

You have not indicated what type of communications you are pursuing, and what exactly you thought you would pursue with that degree.

 

Personally I would go for the communications degree for two reasons. Firstly you can finish it sooner and secondly it is far more general a pursuit and can lead you down many paths that will eventually include those skills/interests you outlined.

 

I also agree that PR is not necessarily a realistic avenue to pursue - the pay is awful and the "required" socializing would theoretically not suit your life - although I could be totally wrong on that.

 

Hope this helps.

[clandestinidad]

Its Corporate Communications w/ a Business Minor.

 

I'm not interested in PR, really, just HR (and some other things related to it). I agree that PR involves things I'm not interested in.

 

I was also recently considering taking the HR certification test in the near future. You can take it as a student or recent graduate, and pass, and tell people that you passed, but cannot be officially certified until you've had 2yrs experience (whether thats internship or work). So you'd likely be hired based on the fact that you passed it.

 

Another thing I think could be fun one day is being a Home Shopping Host...really silly I know! But when I was little, I'd sit in my room and record myself describing and talking about objects in my room, as if I was "selling" them to people. My sister and I would also set up the ironing board w/ a blanket and I would go over the news....it was all very fun to me. haha

 

any more thoughts???

[travellingman]

 

any more thoughts???

 

Kat, in spite of your appealing looks, you're not going to be a home shopping host. After reading your posts, it sounds like the comm program is the best idea, you just need to finish up and get your degree asap.

[clandestinidad]

Kat, in spite of your appealing looks, you're not going to be a home shopping host

 

LMAO!! awwww, I'm crushed! haha

 

have you ever watched them?! Its funny...theyre so fake!

 

The Comm. does appeal more to me, but I dont know if its b/c the instructors pi$$ed me off so much and thats why I changed my mind...my dad thinks thats what happened. He says that they ruined it for me....but I dont know.

 

I really need to learn how to not give a $h!t what my parents think about anything (b/c I never care what people other than them think). When I initially brought up the school change to my mother she flipped out, saying awful things.....like "kathrine, youve been down for so long you dont even know how to get up" (talking about how I got pregnant and had a daughter and havent finished school yet)....thats probably a topic for a diff. thread, but it illustrates how hard it is to disappoint them...its like thats all I've ever done

[travellingman]

The Comm. does appeal more to me, but I dont know if its b/c the instructors pi$$ed me off so much and thats why I changed my mind...my dad thinks thats what happened. He says that they ruined it for me....but I dont know.

 

You need to stop listening to your parents, they are killing your confidence, in spite of what sounds like very generous financial support.

 

Your dad could be right, but it sounds like you prefer the comm. program better anyway. You said earlier that you like the admin side of nursing the best, which is a bit odd because there's officework in many careers, but very few offices where your daily responsibilities include sticking a catheter into someone's urinary tract.

 

You're a bright girl, not to mention a very attractive one, just get your sh*t together, finish school, and tune out the criticisms you hear from your parents.

[Outcast]

Also, I made a brief list of some things I want in my career, some things I'm good at and want to put to use. Unfortunately, I think these exist in any number of fields, so I dont know if it helps very much.

 

Leadership

Supervisor

Organization (both in schedule, and work atmosphere)

Social Interaction (more than just socializing in the break room; a major role)

Teaching/Training

Psychology (some element of it)

Planning

Task/Project Completion

Strategizing

Editing/Proofreading

Delegation

 

maybe I'll think of some others later. I know this sounds ridiculous, but I always pictured myself wearing nice suits and in a presentation, project-type situation

 

It's not ridiculous at all. It's exactly what you're supposed to do - figure out what kinds of things you want to do, the environment, the type of people you want to work with, the hours - even to the dress if you like. The better you define your goal, the better able you'll be to reach it. You could go into the training aspect of HR - or join a firm that does training for HR; that would combine most of the things you mentioned above, including wearing the nice clothes and doing presentations.

 

Remember, no matter what area of nursing you get into, it'll take quite a while to reach any sort of supervisory position or the sort of role you really want where it will be easier to get into HR at a higher level sooner.

 

Never mind pleasing the parents. It's not them who have to show up to your job 5 days a week and spend a big chunk of your life there! You seem to have done a lot of thought about this and you're considering the options wisely. Far too many people start out in the wrong direction and just continue in it because that's what they planned. Eventually, they burn out or quit anyway. You're smart enough to figure out what you want now.

 

Don't be deterred!

[brashgal]

I agree with Outcast, the skills you listed lend themselves more to the Communications degree. Sounds like your parents are thinking more along the lines of traditional nursing care (and you are not). Maybe failing the clinical was a sign?